FOX has chosen Avid Technology DS Nitris for the postproduction of two of its primetime TV shows — “The Benefactor” and “Casino.” These are the first two primetime TV shows to air in HDTV.

The postproduction teams are using the real-time, 10-bit HD system to perform high-end finishing tasks that include color correction, graphics, and titling, as well as for simultaneous mastering to HD and SD for television broadcast.

“Casino” is an unscripted drama and “The Benefactor” is a reality TV show. Both use the Avid DS Nitris because it allows cinematographers to frame a shot for 16:9 and protect for 4:3, a plus for reality TV. With the system, editors can create the 16:9 HD master, then copy the timeline, pan and scan each shot, downconvert to SD, and output the 4:3 version.